Monica's Dad Turns Down Bill

President Clinton's defense fund has played on the sentiments of many a Democratic sympathizer in an attempt to cover the Clinton family's legal bills, but at least one prospective donor was left cold: Monica Lewinsky's father.

Bernard Lewinsky, a Beverly Hills doctor who has contributed to the Democratic Party over the years, recently received a request from the Clinton Legal Expense Trust asking for help in paying off the $10.5 million in legal expenses of Clinton and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Lewinsky wrote "Return to sender" on the envelope, scrawling underneath, "You must be morons to send me this letter!" according to a Lewinsky family friend who asked not to be identified.

Anthony Essaye, the fund's executive director, said Wednesday that he couldn't confirm the form letter was sent to Lewinsky but assumes it was.

"It's just one of those things that happens," Essaye said. "I'm sorry to burden him with that."

The fund mails its donation requests to lists of people recommended by a direct mail group, he said.

It's possible the same group is working with the Democratic National Committee.

Less than a month ago, Lewinsky's friend said, the DNC sent the father of the former White House intern a photograph of Clinton and Mrs. Clinton with a fund-raising plea and the message, "Thank you for your understanding during the last year."